5<D The Dumfriesshire Otter- Hounds. [Sess. 



it for the purpose of taking fish. It hurrows on the banks of 

 a loch or river, generally under some overhanging tree or 

 clump of bushes. The burrow is a curious arrangement. 

 The entrance is from under the water, working upwards to 

 the surface of the ground, forming several ledges to which 

 the animal may retreat in the event of floods ; while air is 

 admitted through an orifice in the roof or side, amid the cover 

 of some bush or other concealment. The entrance being from 

 the water, it serves very well for purposes of escape from its 

 enemies, as whenever an attack is made on its stronghold it 

 can slip into the water unobserved, and may be away up or 

 down stream unknown to its pursuers, unless a good watch is 

 set upon the water in both directions. 



Otter-hunting is comparatively unknown in Scotland, with 

 the exception of the southern counties, where one of the finest 

 packs of otter-hounds in the kingdom, the Dumfriesshire, 

 furnishes excellent sport. The following may be taken as a 

 fair description of the sport they afford. 



Up we got early in a June morning, when all bird and 

 animal life is astir and farm-labourers have begun their clay's 

 darg. After a good breakfast of " halesome parritch " and 

 cream and other country cheer, we sally forth clad in strong 

 garments, heavy boots, and a good thick staff. The hounds 

 meet at Dinwoodie, within easy distance by rail, at 8.30. 

 Punctual to the hour are the hounds, huntsmen, and sports- 

 men. The sun is shining brightly, and no time is lost in 

 detraining the dogs and leading them down to the Annan. 

 Kerss, the keeper, who knows every foot of the river, and is 

 come of a well-known stock of Border sportsmen, assures us 

 that the " varmint " is not far off, for he was heard "whustlin" 

 down below the brig the other night. Along the banks of 

 the Annan, therefore, race the hounds and terriers, plunging 

 into the pools, swimming and re-swimming the river as each 

 tree root and likely spot is examined. Occasionally a hound 

 makes the welkin ring with his deep musical baying, but 

 nothing important comes of it. On we tramp by the river- 

 side, as each likely spot is tried and found blank. After two 

 or three hounds leave the water and begin to sniff about on a 

 level part of the riverside they give tongue, splash go hunts- 

 men and hounds out of the water, up go the dogs' noses, and 





